Hiroshi Kobayashi (boxer)

Hiroshi Kobayashi (小林 宏, Kobayashi Hiroshi, born August 25, 1944) is a retired Japanese professional boxer. He is best known for winning the WBA and WBC super featherweight titles in 1967, defeating Yoshiaki Numata.

Kobayashi turned professional in 1963 and quickly rose through the ranks in Japan. He defeated Numata in Tokyo to claim the world titles, unifying the super featherweight division. He successfully defended his titles three times, including a rematch against Numata, before losing to Ricardo Arredondo in 1971.

After losing his titles, Kobayashi continued to fight, but never regained his former prominence. He eventually retired from boxing in 1975. He is considered one of Japan's most accomplished boxers of the 1960s and 1970s.